Curtain and shade support



March 4-, 1941- R. E. RATCLIFFE CURTAIN AND SHADE SUPPORT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5; 1959 March. 1941- E. RA'TCLIFFE .233.430

CURTAIN AND SHADE SUPPORT Filed 001:. 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 4, 1941' R. E. RATCLlFFE CURTAIN AND SHADE SUPPORT Filed Oct. 5, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 4, 1941 CURTAIN AND SHADE SUPPORT Robert E. Itatcliffe, Dallas, Tex. I

Application October 5, 1939, Serial No. 298,138

.31 5Claims.

Another object of the invention is to so form the bracket that when a pair of brackets are mounted at opposite sides of the window frame a shade roller may be mounted over the inner or lowersash in such a position that it will not be in the way and interfere with the lace curtains or detract from the appearance thereof.-

' Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket formed of metal strips appropriately bent to form elements of the bracket which are riveted or otherwise firmly secured to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide 551a bracket-which is ofsimple construction, very strong and of light weight.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figs 1 is a-perspective view of a window having 30' brackets of the improved construction mounted.

at opposite sides of its upper portion.

- Fig. 2 is a View showing the window frame in transverse section 'andthe brackets and a curtain rod carried thereby in bottom plan, the view 3" being taken on the line 2'2 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket element for supporting a wooden curtain pole.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket element 40' for holding a' metal curtain rod.

Fig. .6 a similar view of a modified form of brackeh' Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the upstanding rod engaging element shown in Fig. 6.

'5 The improved c'urtain support-or bracket is for use one Window frame l, apair thereof being usedand located at opposite sides of the upper portion of the window. frame, as shown in Fig. 1. Eachsupport consistsof a main bracket 2 and f an auxiliary bracket 3 carried by and extending upwardlyfrom the main bracket. The bracket 2 constitutes a mounting for a rod carrying a main curtain and the auxiliary bracket serves to support a rod for overdrapes or as a support for a an outward direction for causing it to extend horizontally across the adjacent side portion 6 of the window frame. In spaced relation to its end, the shank is bent laterally, as shown at I, to provide an offset portion 8 for fitting into the upper end of the adjacent track 9 for the inner sash of the window. The two brackets are firmly secured in the tracks 9 by screws or equivalent fasteners l passed through openings ll formed in the ofiset portions of their shanks and into the window frame, as shown in Fig. 2.

A bracket [2 may be mounted in depending relation'to eachshank, as shown inFig. 3, or each shank may be formed with a socket 13 to receive the pintle or key of a shade roller. It will be understood that the bracket E2 or socket [3 receiving the winding key of the shade roller will be of proper shape and dimensions to receive the same, whereas the pintle will be received in a circular socket to permit turning of the roller.

After the strip has been bent to form the shank framein position to carry a curtain. The curtain.

rod may consist of a single flat tube or channelled strip, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or it may consistof companion sections in telescoping engagement with each other so that they may be longitudinally adjusted to fit the window frame.

The auxiliary'bracket' is also formed from a metal strip. The auxiliary bracket is disposed vertically so that it extends upwardly from the main bracket and the lower portion of the strip is bent to'forrn a U-shaped base or foot 16 at the lower end: of the shank ll of'the'bracket. This foot fits betweenthe arm and the tongue of the companion-main bracket where'it is" secured by a pin l8pa'ssing through alined openings formed in the foot and in thearm an'd tongue of the main bracket. By bending the upper end of the inner arm of the U-shaped base or foot l6,-a lip 19 is formed which engages over the upper'edge face of the arm and assists in supporting the foot between the arm and'the tongue l land prevents the auxiliary bracket from turning about the pin [8 out of perpendicular position.

In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in Figs. 1 through 4 of the drawings, the upper portion of the metal strip from which the auxil- I iary-bracket is formed, is bent to form a U-shaped socket 20 of proper dimensions to receive a curtain pole. The curtain pole may be of wood or metal and may support overdrapes for a curtain carried by the rod l5 or this pole may carry the curtains, in which case the rod l5 will not be used. The upper end of the outer arm of the socket 2B is rolled outwardly and downwardly to impart a neat appearance thereto and also permit the curtain pole to be easily snapped into the socket where it will be firmly gripped between the arms of the socket.

Instead of forming the auxiliary bracket. with a U-shaped pole-receiving socket, the upper portion of the strip from which the bracket is formed may be bent forwardly to form an arm 22 and bracket having another modified form of rod-. receiving socket. Referring to this figure, it

will be seen that the upper portion of the -metal strip is bent forwardly, then downwardly, and. then inwardly to form a socket 24. This socket extends horizontally from the shank l1 and is of oblong or other rectangular outline, its upper and lower portions being formed with openings 25 to receive a pin for firmly securing a curtain rod in the socket.

When curtain supports or brackets of the improved construction are in use, they are mounted at opposite sides of a window frame, the main brackets 2 being secured against inner side faces of the side portions 6 of the frame with their arms 5 extending horizontally across said side portions 6 and the auxiliary brackets extending upwardly from the arms adjacent outer side edges of the frame. A rod for carrying a main cur- .tain is engaged with the free inner end portions -of the tongues and a rod for carrying overdrapes is mounted in the sockets of the auxiliary bracket. formation shown in Figs. 1 through 4, a curtain pole of sufiicient strength to support heavy overdrapes may be supported, or a main curtain may be supported from this pole, in which case a rod carried by the tongues will be eliminated. Other types of rods for carrying overdrapes may be mounted in sockets of the type shown in Fig.5 and in Figs. 6 and 7. Rods of small diameter may be supported by having their end portions passed through the rolled ends 2| and 24 of the auxiliary brackets. In view of the fact that the main brackets are secured to the window frame by fasteners l0 passed through their end portions 8 and into the tracks9 for the inner sash, ex-

posed surfaces of the window frame will not be marred and the brackets may be removed without an'arm for extending horizontally across a side portion of the window frame and a horizontal rod supporting tongue spaced forwardly from the arm, an auxiliary bracket disposed vertically By using an auxiliary bracket of the invention, what is and having a U-shaped base mounted between the arm and tongue of the main bracket and a fastener passing through the base and. through the arm and the tongue of the main bracket to firmly hold the auxiliary bracket in place.

2. A support of the character described comprising a main bracket formed from a strip bent to form a shank and an arm extending horizontally therefrom for extending across a side portion of a window frame, the arm being folded back in spaced relation toitself to provide an inner portion and an outer portion having a free end for engaging and supporting one end of a curtain rod, an auxiliary bracket having curtain rod engaging means and a shank depending therefrom with its lower portion fitting snugly between the inner and outer portions of the arm of the main bracket, and means to hold said lower end portion of the standard in engagement with said portions of the arm of the main bracket.

3. A support of the character described comprising a main bracket formed from a strip bent to form a shank and an arm extending laterally therefrom for extending across a side portion of a window ,frame, the arm being folded back in spaced relation to itself to provide a tongue having a free end for engaging and supporting one end of a curtain rod, and an auxiliary bracket formed from a strip disposed vertically and having its lower end bent to form a U-shaped base engaging the arm and tongue of the main bracket and having a lip resting upon the upper edge of the arm, and a fastener passing through said base and the arm and tongue to firmly hold the auxiliary bracket thereto, the upper portion of the vertical strip being bent to form a rod supporting socket.

4. A support of the character described comprising a main bracket, a shank and an arm extending horizontally therefrom for extending across a side portion of a window frame, the arm being folded back in spaced relation to itself to provide a tongue having a free end for engaging and supporting one end of a curtain rod,

and an auxiliary bracket formed from a strip disposed vertically and having its lower end bent to form a U-shaped base fitting between the arm to form a shank and an arm extending laterally therefrom for extending across a side portion of a window frame, the arm being folded back in spaced relation toitself to provide a tongue having a free end for engaging and supporting one end of a curtain rod, and an auxiliary bracket formed from a strip disposed vertically and base fitting between the arm and tongue of having its lower end bent to form a U-shaped' the main bracket and having a lip resting upon the upper edge of the arm, and a fastener passing through said base and the arm and tongue to firmly hold the auxiliary bracket thereto, the

. ROBERT E. RATCLIFFE. 

